Russian Drone Strikes Romanian Apartment Block, First Attack on Populated Area Injures Two

A Russian drone struck a 10th-floor apartment building in the Stirex-Mazepa neighborhood of Galati, Romania, shortly after 1 a.m. on May 29, 2026, during a renewed assault on Ukrainian targets near the Danube River corridor. The drone's explosive payload detonated on impact, causing a fire and injuring two people — a woman and a 14-year-old boy. Approximately 70 residents were evacuated as firefighters extinguished the blaze. This marks the first time in Russia's four-year war on Ukraine that a drone hit a densely populated area in Romania and caused injuries. Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets with authorization to engage targets, while the defense ministry condemned the strike as an "irresponsible escalation." Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu called for invoking NATO Article 4, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia had "crossed another line." NATO condemned Russia's "recklessness," the EU is preparing a 21st package of sanctions against Russia, and Romania summoned the Russian ambassador. Since the war began, Romania has reported 47 separate incidents of drone fragments on its territory, with 12 occurring in 2026 alone.